The vote for annual end-of-year bonuses came after the court heard reports. The ordinance read by County Clerk Tammie Rose states that the top bonus for county officials and for full-time county workers who have been employed six months is $650. Lower bonuses are given depending on a worker’s full or part-time status and how long that worker has been employed: 

·       Full-time employees that have not been employed for six months or more will receive a one time bonus $50 for each month of employment. 

·       Part-time Nevada County employees that work 20 hours or more per week and have been employed for six months or more will receive $325. 

·       Part-time employees that have worked 20 hours or more per week but have not been employed for six months will receive $25 per month employed. 

·       Part-time divided county employees that work less than 20 hours per week and have been employed for six months or more will receive $200. 

·       Part=time divided any employees that work less than 10 hours per week and have been employed for six months or more will receive $100. 

·       Justices of the Peace are not eligible for the bonuses. 

The ordinance was passed after suspensions of first and second readings and is to go into effect immediately. Although it will apply every year, the Justices of the Peace can alter amounts by passing a new ordinance. 

The next ordinance passed was the 2024 Nevada County budget. As read, the ordinance shows the county’s money is allotted into the following funds with the total coming out $6,315,910.49: 

·       County general $2,139,106.50. 

·       Road and bridge $1,472,000 

·       Solid Waste $672,650 

·       New jail $826,250. 

·       911 office $447,263 

·       Library $102,494 

·       Jail revenue $48,649 

·       Voting safety $500 

·       Law Library $4,069.36 

·       Recorders cost $18,000 

·       Treasurer's auto $13,600 

·       County Clerk's auto $3,500 

·       District courts auto $2,700 

·       Assessors auto $8,450 

·       Collector's auto $20,335 

·       Public defender $10,331 

·       Child support $1,000 

·       Victim witnesses $3,518.52 

·       Adult drug court $200 

·       Community facilities and equipment $7,500 

·       Wholesale fuel $90,000 

·       Solid waste management $161,803.43 

·       Commissary fund $88,000 

·       Circuit Judge auto fund $2,500 

·       Emergency vehicle at $5,000 

·       ARPN loss fund $166,490.68 

The meeting began with reports by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jamie Hillery, who said 69 children had been adopted by the chamber’s Giving Tree Program, which means they will receive necessity items for Christmas. She also noted the success of the Jingle and Mingle shopping event and the Prescott Christmas Parade as well as that morning’s chamber coffee at Farmers Bank & Trust. 

During the timeslot usually given to Mary Godwin, Executive Director of the Prescott-Nevada Economic Development Corporation, JP Chris Fore described meeting with Godwin about efforts to make information from the Corporation more accessible at least to the county’s justices of the peace. Godwin’s concern, as she made clear Tuesday night, was in sharing confidential information about businesses being recruited. Many such businesses put conditions on their contacts with the Economic Development office that confidential information not be shared. 

Discussed was a proposal for Godwin to meet with two to three JPs outside of official meetings. It was not known how many JPs could legally meet with her before it constituted a public meeting under Arkansas law and therefore entailing public notice be given a day before the meetings.  County Judge Mike Otwell asked County Clerk to find out what Arkansas law specifies regarding how many JPs can meet at once without it being considered a public meeting. 

Godwin, for her part, said she would certainly provide information to JPs in this way as long as the JPs sign a nondisclosure agreement themselves.  JP Patricia Grimes said several times during the meeting such information sharing was needed because at this point she and the other JPs were often taking calls for constituents asking about progress on employment opportunities or new businesses coming to the county.  

County Extension Agent Stacey Stone reported on an upcoming instructional event at the fairgrounds for young folk to take place January 4 at 2:00 p.m. concerning the upcoming total eclipse on April 8. Adults interested in attending a more detailed session that day should contact the County Extension Office at 1-870-887-2818 to register by December 22nd. Stone also reported that Quiz Bowl season would be coming soon. 

The Nevada County Emergency Services Coordinator, David Gummeson said he is conferring with the Arkansas Department of Transportation on eclipse preparation. He mentioned an effort to prevent GPS systems from steering motorists onto Highway 67 instead of I-30 during the time of the eclipse and said other contingency plans were being made, too. 

Before adjournment, county resident Joyce Banks, though she was not on the agenda, emerged from the audience seating and brought up concerns involving trash pickup. County Judge Otwell and County Treasurer Ricky Reyenga clarified that sanitation trucks and personnel are legally prohibited from going onto residents’ private property.